The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York
New York, United States

The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York

Outty Ranking 49 4.3 · 49 traveler reviews0.4 hoursFrom $457
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Outty Ranking

49/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 49 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York worth booking?

The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York is a 0.4-hour experience in New York, United States, from $457 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 49 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
49 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (49)
Duration
0.4 hours
From
$457 per person

See the Big Apple’s most iconic landmarks and building up close on this popular helicopter tour of New York City, while taking off and landing out of Manhattan Heliport. This is a one-of-kind pilot narrated modern and historical tour. As you soar above the city that never sleeps, take a look at all NYC has to offer. You’ll see attractions such as: Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Times Square, The Intrepid Museum, Central Park, Yankee Stadium and more!

What you get

    About this experience

    See the Big Apple’s most iconic landmarks and building up close on this popular helicopter tour of New York City, while taking off and landing out of Manhattan Heliport. This is a one-of-kind pilot narrated modern and historical tour. As you soar above the city that never sleeps, take a look at all NYC has to offer. You’ll see attractions such as: Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Times Square, The Intrepid Museum, Central Park, Yankee Stadium and more!

    What's included

    Included

    • Helicopter flight with shared experience among other travelers.
    • Surcharges on fuel
    • anding and/or facility fees
    • On-board live commentary and cabin with climate control.

    Not included

    • Photos available for purchase as souvenirs.
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Brooklyn Bridge

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Statue of Liberty

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    3. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Ellis Island

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Rockefeller Center

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Chrysler Building

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    7. Coney Island

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    8. Central Park

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    9. George Washington Bridge

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    10. Intrepid Museum

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    11. Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    12. Verrazzanno Narrows Bridge

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    13. Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    14. Columbia University

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    15. One World Trade Center

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    16. Empire State Building

      Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    17. Pass By

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    New York

    Charm Aviation NYC- Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Charm Aviation NYC- Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Charm Aviation NYC

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • A valid government-issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license) is required at check-in. Passengers without ID will not be permitted to fly and no refund will be issued.
    • Children aged 2 and over must have their own seat and pay the full fare.
    • Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled flight, or 45 minutes if traveling after 4:00 PM due to traffic.
    • You may fly anytime between your check-in and flight time.
    • All passengers must complete security screening before entering the building.
    • Seating is arranged according to weight for safety. Passengers over 275 lbs (124 kg) must purchase an additional seat.
    • A rebooking fee will apply for changes made within 24 hours of your flight or for missed flights. Missed flights are considered a no-show and are non-refundable.
    • Flights may be canceled if minimum requirements are not met; in such cases, you will be offered an alternative flight or a full refund.
    • No parking is available on site; please plan accordingly.
    • Sunset views are not guaranteed.
    • Please note that the heliport fee was not included for reservations made prior to March 2, 2026 and must be paid separately at $40.00 per person.

    Photos

    The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York, photo 2The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York, photo 3The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York, photo 4The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York, photo 5The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York, photo 6See New York in Luxury and Style!, The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 49 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    49 verified traveler reviews for The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    38
    4 star
    2
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    7
    Sort
    F3742APcatherinew · July 2025

    Excellent trip. The pilot's commentary was excellent pointing out the various landmarks. We took some wonderful videos and photos. My grandson (18 yrs) ended up sitting in the front with the pilot, which he absolutely loved. You are told where to sit and it worked out well for him! We were a party of 4 and the helicoptor held 6, and I think that it made it more special that there were only 6 of us. We chose the 30 mins tour and it was money well spent. Would definitely recommend.

    via Tripadvisor

    Skyy T · January 2025

    1st time on a helicopter; awesome experience!

    I loved this experience! Everything was very well organized and safe. They explained the safety procedures to us and gave us life jackets. We left our bags in the lockers. The views were amazing and our pilot was educated on the fun facts about New York. The buildings looked so beautiful from the helicopter view. I’ve never been on a helicopter before and I enjoyed the experience and definitely would do it again. They also take photos for you and you can buy them digitally for $35 which was a fun touch.

    via Tripadvisor

    19KEM77 · December 2024

    I wish I could but never got to see the sights

    They cancelled the tour the day before our tour as due to bad weather then said no ties until the 3rd January as all cancelled but I see they have advertised again on earlier dates but inflated prices. We booked this over 8 months ago and was looking forward to this but seems like they want to make a few more dollars 🤷🏻

    via Tripadvisor

    822joannee · October 2024

    Disgusting

    Disgusting, cancelled out trip less than 24hrs before we went. We booked and paid in full July. No apologies. Was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime with family. Completely ruined our five day break and came all the way from the UK. Not impressed and very disappointed

    via Tripadvisor

    Helen_S · October 2024

    Best tour of the holiday

    This was by far the highlight of everything I did on my New York trip! From start to finish the team looked after me and even after the tour itself, thank you so much 💖 you forget how big New York city is until you see it from the sky.. Coney Island etc which I didn't have chance to see otherwise

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    0.4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    17
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Charm Aviation NYC, who run 6 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.4.

    See everything Charm Aviation NYC runs

    Why this scores 49

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)57
    Review evidence (18% weight)50
    Booking momentum (14% weight)43
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)73
    Local standing (8% weight)19
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.

    How much does The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York cost?

    +

    Prices start at $457 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York take?

    +

    Plan for about 0.4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.

    Is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 49 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?

    +

    Around 17 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 0.4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in New York?

    +

    New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit New York?

    +

    September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in New York?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?

    +

    Included: Helicopter flight with shared experience among other travelers; Surcharges on fuel; anding and/or facility fees; and On-board live commentary and cabin with climate control. Not included: Photos available for purchase as souvenirs; and Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?

    +

    Charm Aviation NYC- Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?

    +

    Across 49 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include photo opportunities, value for money, organization. The views and photo stops come up again and again.

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